EastEnders is welcoming back Ash Panesar after almost four years away, with star Sakira Vel taking over the role.

The character, previously played Gurlaine Kaur Garcha, had a difficult relationship with mum Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) and was last seen in Walford when she decided to take a job in Canada.

Her decision to leave the Square behind didn’t go down too well with Suki, who has attempted to make amends with her daughter over their fractured relationship in the years since – to no avail.

Ash has had limited contact with her family since departing Walford and got engaged last year – with brother Vinny (Shiv Jalota) invited to the engagement party while mum Suki was left out.

The strained mother and daughter relationship will be explored once more in upcoming scenes, with Ash set to return to Walford. And it’s safe to say the Panesars will be rocked by her comeback.

Discussing taking over the role of Ash – and making her TV debut – star Sakira Vel said: ‘When I got the call offering me the role, I don’t think I could truly believe it until I finally made it onto the Square!

‘EastEnders is an absolute television icon, and the show was essentially the backdrop to my childhood.

‘Taking on the role of Ash is a real honour and I cannot wait for the audience to see what we have in store as she dives straight into the Panesar family chaos”.

Executive Producer Ben Wadey said: ‘We’re delighted to welcome Ash back to Walford and to have Sakira Vel join the EastEnders cast.

‘With unresolved tensions still simmering between Ash and her family, her unexpected return is set to create new challenges for the Panesar family’.

Ash was a mainstay of EastEnders between 2019 and 2023, with Gurlaine Kaur Garcha in the role.

The character arrived on the Square shortly after her family’s debut and it became apparent that she was estranged from her mum at the time.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

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